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The EU's TEN-T Programme is to co-fund with over 2 million euros the development of the sea ports of Trelleborg (Sweden) and Swinoujscie (Poland), to increase their competitiveness and sustainability, as well as improve the maritime link between both countries.

The project covers works and studies with the objective to develop the infrastructure and upgrade ICT at the Port of Trelleborg, as well as prepare grounds for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facility at Swinoujscie.

In detail, the project will extend the fairway and build two breakwaters and two pier heads at the Port of Trelleborg to ensure safe and efficient ship manoeuvres, as well as increase the port's sea-based capacity and accessibility.

The port's intermodal terminal will be enlarged and upgraded with new drainage and water management systems. The improvements will allow 70% of storm and rainwaters to be treated before they enter the Baltic Sea.

The project will also modernise the port's operations to increase the safety and quality of trailer handling. The new facilities will allow immediate coordination and reporting to integrated transport chain actors.

Part of the project will be dedicated to the establishment of a new, state-of-the-art traffic management system in Trelleborg that will strengthen Trelleborg-Swinoujscie maritime link in anticipation of a traffic increase by 40 percent.

Lastly, a study on the LNG organisation at the Port of Swinoujscie will be commissioned.

The project is part of a larger initiative aiming to improve the capacity, safety, efficiency, as well as environmental performance and quality of infrastructure and services in the ports and their hinterlands. The prepared upgrade is expected to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of both ports. The project will also be of major importance to the Core Network of the TEN-T, contributing to a better integration of transport corridors and concentration of freight flows on the main transport axes.

The project was selected for EU funding with the assistance of external experts under the TEN-T Multi-Annual Call 2013, priority 'Motorways of the Sea'. Its implementation will be monitored by INEA, the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.

The project is to be completed by the end of 2015.